If expected success was the lone reason to watch an NBA team, only a handful of squads would qualify as must-see TV. In a highlight-heavy world, even long shots can provide plenty of entertainment. With that in mind, here's our ranking of how watchable all 30 teams are, starting with the bottom 15.
Check out the top 15 here.
There's no way to sugarcoat things for Jazz fans: Another rough year awaits with the team clearly in tank mode. At least they've moved on from a number of vets to clear the way for their young players. But expect Ace Bailey and Walter Clayton Jr. to go through growing pains as they begin their NBA careers.
DeMar DeRozan said it best in September when he called Sacramento's 2024-25 season a "shit show." That seems to be a recurring theme for the Kings, barring the first year of the Beam era in 2022-23 that spawned their only playoff appearance in the last 19 seasons. A strong starting five will have its moments. At this point, however, the franchise seems happy to slap a "watch at your own peril" warning on itself with nearly two decades worth of stupefying decisions.
The good news for Wizards supporters is that they'll likely improve upon last season's 18 wins. Unfortunately, that might mean starting a pair of 34-year-old veterans. CJ McCollum has some juice left in the tank, but Khris Middleton's best days are behind him. Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George all showed promise as rookies, while Cam Whitmore has something to prove after failing to crack the Rockets' rotation.
For better or worse, you never really know what you'll get throughout a full season with Cam Thomas and Michael Porter Jr. But with so many moving parts on this team - including five 2025 first-round picks - even the occasional red-hot shooting performances from Thomas or Porter may not be enough to convince Nets fans to devote their evenings to another rebuilding year.
Tyrese Haliburton's offensive play made the Pacers so enjoyable to watch. They'll miss his clutch shot-making and ability to get others involved this season. Myles Turner, who was the team's heart and soul, joined the Bucks after a decade in Indy. The Pacers still have Pascal Siakam's two-way versatility, T.J. McConnell's scrappy defense, and the high-flying Obi Toppin. But the viewing experience won't be the same.
Celtics management rushed to duck an exorbitant tax bill this summer, and now the team barely resembles the 2024 NBA champs. Apathy about this season emanates from the front office; with Jayson Tatum still recovering from Achilles surgery, Boston's seemingly makeshift rotation isn't very exciting. Tatum appears to be on a best-case timeline in his recovery, but until he's back, watching these Celtics may be tedious.
Portland offers fans a little bit of everything. Donovan Clingan is an above-the-rim threat and imposing rim-protector with a 7-foot-7 wingspan. Toumani Camara and Jrue Holiday are lockdown defenders. Shaedon Sharpe has uncorked his share of poster slams through his first three NBA seasons. Deni Avdija and Scoot Henderson aren't afraid to take it to the rack. And rookie Yang Hansen's passing ability out of the post has attracted comparisons to Jokic.
The Bulls may have played the 2024-25 regular season's most entertaining game: They stunned the Lakers in March after Josh Giddey's half-court heave at the buzzer capped a hectic finish in Chicago. But that felt like an outlier for an organization that hasn't given fans much to get excited about recently. Giddey's breakout year, Coby White's energy, and Matas Buzelis' growth in his hometown are real reasons for optimism, but it will take a lot more than that to restore the Bulls to League Pass favorites.
Miami's half-court offense has been a slog in recent years, but that could change this season. Norman Powell gives the Heat another shot-creator besides Tyler Herro. His ability to shoot off movement and penetrate the lane adds a few wrinkles to the team's attack. Bam Adebayo remains one of the league's premier passing big men and interior defenders. Kel'el Ware is a lob threat in the pick-and-roll and flashed the ability to knock down threes as a rookie.
While the Suns' Big Three experiment with Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal was a flop, any team that loses Durant in the summer just won't generate the same excitement heading into the new season. Devin Booker is still one of the NBA's most thrilling bucket-getters and Jalen Green is good for several explosive posters throughout the year, but watching Dillon Brooks and Grayson Allen get under the skin of opponents is an acquired taste that many people have yet to acquire.
The Cavs transformed into the NBA's most lethal scoring unit during Kenny Atkinson's first season in charge. Donovan Mitchell is an elite on-ball scorer, and he's also a threat coming off screens or cutting to the basket. Darius Garland changes pace smoothly on drives and can finish in the lane with floaters. Both guards frequently get into the teeth of the defense and use that leverage to set up Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley on lobs.
Toronto's watchability factor feels like an enigma. Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes could be the multi-faceted, one-two punch at forward that other teams dream of, but there are still questions about their fit. It should be a treat to see No. 9 pick Collin Murray-Boyles hound opponents defensively, but it could be difficult to watch the rookie work on developing a dependable shot.
Giannis Antetokounmpo alone is worth the price of admission. The Greek Freak is a freight train when running the floor in transition or rumbling downhill. His athleticism allows him to cover so much ground defensively. But Antetokounmpo continues to add new elements to his game as well. He made the fifth-most field goals from the mid-range last season and has increasingly served as a point forward, posting a career-best 33.9% assist percentage in 2024-25.
Desmond Bane will be a godsend for an Orlando team with chronically poor 3-point shooting, but it's a stretch to say he elevates the Magic to a League Pass must-watch. However, Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero - still just 24 and 22 years old, respectively - could drastically change the public perception of the team if they both take that elusive next step into stardom. There's just a lot of built-up Magic mediocrity to expunge.
Can LaMelo Ball finally stay healthy? The Hornets floor general is an electric shot-creator who can make virtually every pass in the book. Third-year forward Brandon Miller was establishing himself as a foundational piece before his sophomore campaign was cut short by a wrist injury. Meanwhile, no lob is out of range with the verticality of Miles Bridges. Rookie forward Kon Knueppel could quickly endear himself to fans with his all-around game and hustle.
Check out the top 15 here.
